Freeware

Today is a good time to start making music, as there are so many high quality instruments and effects you can download for free to get you started.

On this page I have listed some of the free plugins I have used and in some cases are still using today (in other cases I have started with the free version and later upgraded to a paid version with more advanced features).

Also notice your DAW likely have several builtin instruments and effects, so make sure to examine all the content of your DAW of choice. 

Hint: If you buy a MIDI keyboard, MIDI controller or USB Audio Interface, there is most often some free software included, e.g. a license for Ableton Live Lite and/or some VST instruments. If you are having a hard choice deciding between two hardware products with almost identical specs, then have a look at which software is included.

Bundles

Native Instruments - Komplete Start

Komplete Start is the free version of the Komplete bundle from Native Instruments. The paid versions has lots and lots of instruments and effects but the free version has plenty to get you started. I have been using the paid Komplete Ultimate bundle for years and can highly recommend it, but this bundle will get you started for free.

Notice: The Komplete Start bundle also includes the free KONTAKT 7 Player, which is a MUST HAVE! 

NI_Komplete_Start

Synthesizers & Sample Players

Native Instruments - Kontakt 7 Player

KONTAKT 7 Player from Native Instruments is the free version of the paid KONTAKT sample player.  You can download lots of free KONTAKT instruments and use the free KONTAKT Player to host them. 

Hint: If you download the free Native Instruments KOMPLETE START bundle, you will not only get the KONTAKT 7 Player but also a large number of KONTAKT based instruments.

NI_Kontakt_Player
Native Instruments - Reaktor 6 Player

Reaktor 6 Player from Native Instruments is the free version of the paid Reaktor modular synthesizer and effects engine. With Reaktor you can build your own dream synthesizer or effects and the free player can then host these instruments and effects. There are lots of free Reaktor based instruments on the Internet and they all require either the free Reaktor Player or the paid full version of Reaktor to function. 

Vital

Vital is one of my favorite software synthesizers. It is very flexible and powerfull yet easy to work with. 

You can download a free version but can also support the developer by bying the “Plus” or “Pro” versions with more wave tables and presets and they are well worth the price.

SURGE XT

Surge XT is a hybrid synthesizer with many synthesis techniques including Wave table, subtractive, FM and more. It has a flexible modulation engine and also supports MPE. It is more lightweight than Vital and requires less CPU power.

Filters & EQ

TDR Nova

TDR Nova from Toky Dawn Records is a parallel dynamic equalizer. It has four dynamic EQ bands and additional high-pass and low-pass filters. The built-in spectrum analyser and drag-and-drop functionality makes it very intuitive to use. 

Compressor & Limiter

D16 Frontier

Frontier fra D16 is a an excellent limiter for mixing and mastering. It is very transparent but with more aggressive settings it can also color the sound. It is very easy to use, Supports MIDI Learn so you can easily use a MIDI controller to adjust the knobs.

Klanghelm MJUC JR

MJUC JR from Klanghelm is a free version of the more powerfull MJUC compressor. It is a Variable-Mu compressor. It is super intuitive and easy to use. Great for vocals, drums and acoustic instruments.

Native Instruments - Super Charger

Super Charger from Native Instruments is an easy to use tube compressor.  Despite the simple user interface it is very versatile and can warm up the vocals or completely crush the drums.

TDR Kotelnikov

TDR Kotelnikov from Toky Dawn Records is a very transparent and musical compressor, that can be used for controlling the dynamic range of both single tracks or the mix bus. It features individual controls for Peak and RMS Release but otherwise has all the usual controls found on other compressors.

TDR Molotok

TDR Molotok from Toky Dawn Records is a compressor with a lot of character. It features an unusual alpha-beta-sigma knob, that changes the compression curve and thus the color of the sound. Like other compressors it has both an Attack and Release knob, and also allows you to modify the ratio and knee of the compressor curve and adjust dry/wet mix and makeup gain. 

Delay & Reverb

Valhalla Supermassive

Valhalla Supermassive combines delay and reverb into one plugin. It is easy to use and has several interesting presets to get you started. 

Cymatics Space Lite

Space Lite from Cymatics has three reverb modes and additional FX modes: pitch shift, chorus, flanger, phaser + distortion.

The paid version comes with 20+ reverb modes at a very reasonable price, so if you like this plugin,  you may consider upgrading to the full version.

RO-GOLD

RO-GOLD from Black Rooster Audio is a plate reverb that simulates the sound of a vintage gold plate reverb with a very unique sound.

Valhalla FreqEcho

Valhalla FreqEcho combines delay, frequency shift and low/high pass filters into one plugin. This allows you to create some real crazy effects.

Chorus, Phaser & Flanger

Valhalla SpaceModulator

Valhalla SpaceModulator is a flanger that can add anything from a subtle “swhoosh” to all kind of weird effects. It is very easy to use and comes with several presets to get you started.

Distortion & Saturation

Softube - Saturation knob

Saturation Knob from Softube is very easy to use but don’t let the simple user interface fool you – it is a very useful tool! It is great for adding harmonics to vocals or making your bass and drums sound more fat.

Softube_Saturation_Knob_200x200
Cymatics Origin

Origin from Cymatics is a great tool for making your track sound like an old vinyl LP or tape casette. It has several factory presets but it is fun and easy to just dial in your old sound.

Utility Tools

Youlean Loudness Meter

Youlean Loudness Meter is a MUST HAVE tool for ensuring you have the correct loudness on your tracks. It makes it easy to meet e.g. the -14 LUFS Integrated loudness specified by Spotify.

TDR Prism

TDR Prism from Toky Dawn Records is a modern looking frequency analyzer. The display is similar to the built-in frequency analyzer in the TDR Nova EQ. It supports a wide range of tilting and weighting options and also supports a human auditory model. The UI can be resized and supports fullscreen.